My inspiration behind the 2026 Girl of The Year: Raquel Reyes
I feel like I’ve been swept up by a huge American Girl wave of excitement with the launch of Raquel Reyes as its 2026 Girl of the Year.
I’m totally serious.
I wasn’t expecting so much excitement in my hometown of KC.
Since the big announcement of Raquel Reyes as Girl of The Year, I’ve been fielding A LOT of questions from reporters and driving (with Raquel on board!) to various interviews.
It’s a lot.
But it’s fun too. And I can see why Raquel Reyes is getting all the attention and love. She’s a great doll with a wonderful story.
Raquel’s Story
Raquel Reyes lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her familia. Her parents own Paleta Palooza which is a popular paleta shop in Kansas City. Raquel is also a DJ who loves to keeps every family party on the dance floor. When Raquel heads to her family reunion on the East Coast, she never expects to find a mysterious diary tucked away in the attic of an old mansion. But as she turns the pages, she discovers it belonged to her great-great-grandmother, Samantha Parkington—and learns that family isn’t just about where we come from, it’s about showing up for the people who need us most!
What does it mean to have Raquel Reyes from Kansas City?
I purposely chose Raquel to be from Kansas City for a couple of reasons: mostly because KC is my home too. This city shaped me as a writer and a person, and I hope kids here in KC see themselves in her while kids everywhere get a glimpse of KC’s heart.
What do you hope Mexican American girls will feel having Raquel Reyes as girl of the year?
My hope is that Mexican American girls feel a deep sense of pride and joy in seeing Raquel Reyes as Girl of the Year. When I was growing up, I didn’t see characters who looked like me or shared my family’s traditions in the books I loved. So with Raquel, I wanted to change that. I hope Mexican American girls recognize a little bit of themselves reflected in Raquel’s story—in her courage, her creativity, her love for her family. I also hope it reminds every child to feel proud of their family’s heritage and maybe want to learn more about who their great great grandparents were. 
What was it like writing about Samantha Parkington’s Great Great Grandaughter?
An absolute joy and honor! Samantha is one of my all-time favorite OG American Girls. She was just so kind! And she always spoke up for others. Ito infuse this same bit of personality into Raquel. I hope fans of Samantha will be overjoyed with Raquel.
What does it mean to you to have Raquel Reyes released and be the American Girl 2026 Girl of the Year during these scary times where the Latino and Hispanic communities are under attack?
It means a lot. I feel and see the fear and uncertainty every day. And Raquel Reyes represents hope, pride, and belonging. She reminds young readers that our stories matter and that speaking up, and sharing and celebrating our heritage are powerful forms of resistance.
Any upcoming American Girl events?
I’ll be signing books at the American Girl stores in Dallas on Nov. 8th. Then, I’ll head to Chicago on Nov. 15th for an appearance there. Hope to see you! Learn more about my upcoming events.
